Diverter valve



2 Sheets-Sheet l P. C. SYMMONS DIVERTER VALVE INVENTOR. PAUL C. SYMMONS ATTORN EYS Feb. 22, 1966 Filed March 13. 1964 Feb. 22, 1966 P. c. SYMMONS 3,236,253

DIVERTER VALVE Filed March 15, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. PAUL C. SYMMONS BY A T TO R N EYS United States Patent M 3,236,253 DIVERTER VALVE Paul C. Symrnons, Newton, Mass, assignor to Symmons Engineering Company, Boston, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Mar. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 351,638 12 Claims. (Cl. 137-119) This invention relates to diverter valves and more particularly to diverter valves featuring volume control.

Diverter valves are commonly used in bathroom installations and are designed to alternately connect a bath tub spout and a shower head with a water supply via a common mixing valve system adapted to mix but and cold water in selected proportions to obtain a satisfactory water temperature. In some cases the mixing valve arrangement comprises a single mixing valve. In other cases the mixing valve system comprises separate hot and cold water faucets. In both cases the outlets are connected to the diverter valve. The diverter valve commonly is installed in the wall above a bath tub and normally connects the tub spout to the source of mixed Water. By operating the valve it is possible to divert the flow of water so that water will flow out of the shower head instead of out of the tub spout. In the usual case the user desires not only temperature control of the water but also volume control. Where the hot and cold water are supplied via separate faucets, volume control is provided by the faucets themselves. However, this is not satisfactory since the faucets are used primarily to adjust the mixed water temperature. It is much more advantageous to have a separate volume control so that the volume can be adjusted without changing the proportion of hot water to cold water and vice versa. Thus, it is common to provide a volume control at the outlet of the shower head and, in some cases, a volume control also has been inserted in the tub spout. Having a volume control in the shower head is satisfactory to a degree, the primary disadvantage being that it is difiicult for children to reach a volume control located in the shower head.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide a diverter valve for tub and shower installations featuring a manually operable volume control.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a diverter valve which can be constructed so as to have volume control for either one or both outlets.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a diverter valve having an operating mechanism with novel volume control which can be substituted for the operating control of certain diverter valves known to the art.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide a diverter valve having a volume control which is operated by rotation of the diverter valve operating stern and which has no effect on the temperature of the water passed by the valve.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will become more readily understood as reference is had to the following detailed specification when considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a diverter valve embodying a single outlet volume control constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a same valve as is shown in FIG. 1, but with the valve set to pass water to the shower outlet;

PEG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating operation of the volume control;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

3,23%,253 Patented Feb. 22, 1966 FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a diverter valve featuring volume control for both outlets thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

Turning now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a diverter valve comprising a conventional diverter valve body identified generally by the numeral 2 whose interior is divided into an inlet chamber 4, a first outlet chamber 6, and a second outlet chamber 8 by two partitions 1t) and 12. The inlet chamber 4 is provided with an inlet port 14 which is provided with interior threads for coupling to a pipe line (not shown). The two outlet chambers 6 and 8 are provided with corresponding outlet ports 15 and 16, respectively. The inlet chamber 4 communicates with the outlet chambers 6 and 8 via valve openings 18 and 20 formed in partitions 10 and 12, respectively. The opening 18 is countersunk on the inlet chamber side to provide a valve seat 22. The other valve opening 20 has a diameter slightly larger than the countersink defining the valve seat 22.

In addition to the inlet ports, the valve body 2 is provided with a neck portion 24 having a tapped opening 26 which accommodates a bonnet comprising a cylindrical sleeve 28 and a boss 30. The cylindrical sleeve 28 is threaded so as to screw into the tapped opening 26. The opening 26 is provided with a countersink to accommodate a washer 34 which is compressed into the countersink by the boss 30 so as to prevent leakage of water between the bonnet 3t] and the neck 24. Preferably, the boss has a polygonal shaped outer surface to accept a wrench to facilitate removal of the bonnet from the body 2.

The cylindrical sleeve 28 has a length such that when the boss 34 bears tightly against the washer 34, the bottom end of the sleeve extends into the opening 20 formed in the partition 12. The bottom end of the sleeve 28 may be flush with the inner surface of the partition 2 or may extend slightly beyond. The bottom end of the sleeve 28 is flat as shown and preferably is provided with a peripheral groove to accommodate an O-ring 38 which provides a seal against leakage of water between the partition 12 and the sleeve 28.

The boss 30 has a central bore which communicates with the interior of the sleeve 28 and this bore is sized to provide light frictional engagement with a valve stem 4%, the frictional contact between the stem and the inner surface of the boss being just enough to support the stem without preventing it from moving up and down in an axial direction. The upper end of the boss is provided with a relatively large counterbore 42 and a relatively small counterbore 44 which are coaxial with the sleeve 23. The counterbore 44 is sized to accommodate a packing 46. The counterbore 42 is provided with interior threads so as to accommodate a nipple 50. The packing 46 is compressed by the nipple 50 acting through a metal washer 52. The upper end of the valve stem is provided with a collar 56 which at all times projects into the nipple 50. The collar 56 is sized to make a snug fit with the interior of the nipple 50 so that air can leak out or in between the collar 56 and the nipple Sll at a relatively slow rate. A compression spring 57 acts between collar 56 and washer 52 to urge the valve stem upward. The nipple extends outwardly from the boss St) a distance suflicient to allow it to project through a wall behind which it is normally mounted in practice. A knob 59 facilitates manipulation of the valve stem and a removable escutcheon 60 of decorative and ornamental configuration is mounted on the valve in front of the wall to provide a pleasing appearance.

Valve stem 40 is provided with a frusto-conical valve member 62 made of a suitable resilient and water resistant material as, for example, rubber or a resilient plastic. The stem is reduced in size adjacent its end to form a shoulder 64 against which the smaller end of the valve member can abut. The valve member is held against the shoulder member 64 by a nut 66 which screws onto threads formed at the end of the valve stem. The frusto-conical valve member is sized so as to engage the bottom end of the sleeve 28, the latter functioning as a valve seat. The maximum diameter of the valve member 62 is less than the diameter of the opening 20, whereby if the bonnet is unscrewed from the neck 24, the valve stem can be withdrawn free of the body 2.

To the extent just described, the valve unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is conventional. However, the illustrated valve dilfers from diverter valves heretobefore available in that it includes means for controlling the volume of water passing from the inlet chamber 4 to the outlet chamber 8. The volume control means comprises a pair of holes 67 formed in the sleeve 28 on the side of the partition 12 common to the outlet compartment 8, plus a cup 68 mounted on the valve stem. The cup 68 is inverted and it is held in place on the stem by a pin 70. The wall of the cup is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed holes 72. The outer diameter of the cup is only slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve 28 so that air can leak past the cup at a very slow rate to provide a damping effect.

Operation of the valve just described is as follows: normally the valve member 62 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, in which case Water can flow from the inlet compartment 4 to the outlet compartment 6 but not to the outlet compartment 8. In this position, the cup 68 is above the openings 67 and is inefliective to control the volume of water passed by the valve. However, if the valve stem is depressed so as to shift the valve member 62 toward the valve seat 22, water entering the inlet chamber 4 will exert a down-ward pressure on the valve member 62, driving it into engagement with the valve seat 22. Once seated, the valve member 62 will not move away from the valve seat 22 unless the flow of water is terminated or unless the valve stem is pulled outwardly by the operator. This second position of the valve is shown in FIG. 2. When the valve member 62 is seated on the valve seat 22, the cup 68 is in position to control the fi-ow of water from the inlet chamber 4 to the outlet chamber 8. The cup can be positioned so that its holes 72 are in direct alignment with the holes 67, in which case the flow of water from the outlet chamber 8 will be maximum. Alternatively, the stem can be rotated 90, placing the holes 67 out of registration with the openings 66 so that no water can flow from the inlet chamber 4 to the outlet chamber 8. At intermediate positions the volume of water flow will vary according to the degree of registration between holes 67 and 72 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a diverter valve with volume controls for both outlets. Since this embodiment is identical to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 except for the major difierences noted below, like parts are indetified with like numbers. In this case the valve stem 40a projects below the valve member 62a to permit atachment of a volume control element 80. Valve member 62a is slightly different in construction but functions the same as valve member 62. The volume control element 80 is formed of round solid rod stock and is provided with a bore at its top end whereby it can be fitted onto the end of the valve stem. A pin 84 secures it to the valve stem. The bottom end of-the volume control element has an axial bore 86 so that it is like an inverted cup. A pair of diametrically opposed holes 88 function as inlets to the bore 86. The volume control element 80 makes a close fit in opening 18. The top portion of wall 10 has a substantial thickness so that opening 18 can be provided with an intermediate portion 18a below valve seat 22 which is enlarged laterally as shown at 90 to provide substantial clearance for the volume control element at diametrically opposed areas. It is believed to be apparent that when holes 88 are aligned with the lateral enlargements 90 of hole 18, water is free to flow from inlet chamber 4 to outlet chamber 6. However, if the valve stem is rotated 90 degrees to the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, no water can flow into holes 88 from the inlet chamber because holes 86 will be blocked off by the close-lying smaller radius surfaces defining the intermediate hole portion 18a.

The volume control member functions only when valve member 620 is seated on its upper valve seat and valve seat 22 is uncovered. When the valve member is seated on valve seat 22, the volume control member 68 becomes etfective to vary the flow of water through holes 67. Thus volume control is available for either outlet simply by rotation of the valve stem.

An important feature of the invention is the damping effect provided by the volume control member 68 and the surrounding sleeve 28. When the valve stem is pushed in, a vacuum is developed behind the volume control member and the latter prevents valve member 62 (or 62a) from slamming down hard on valve seat 22 under the influence of the water pressure in the inlet chamber. Without volume control member 68, valve member 62 would close very fast so that a loud noise and a substantial shock wave would be developed as it hits valve seat 22.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the foregoing teachings. It is to be undestood, therefore, that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts specifically described or illustrated, and that within the scope of the appended claims, it may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described or illustrated.

What is claimed is:

1. A diverter valve having volume control means, said diverter valve comprising a valve body and a reciprocally mounted rotatable valve member alternately engageable with two different valve seats in said valve body, said volume control means comprising a hollow member with inlet and outlet passages connected for movement with said reciprocally mounted valve member, and means cooperating with said hollow member to block off said outlet passages when said rotatable valve member is rotated to one position and to unblock said outlet passages when said rotatable valve member is rotated to another position.

2. A diverter valve as defined by claim 1 wherein said hollow member is a cup-shaped element, and further wherein said valve member and said hollow member are mounted in a common valve stem.

3. A diverter valve as defined by claim 1 wherein said hollow member has the form of an inverted cup and is mounted between said valve member and an outlet of said valve body.

4. A diverter valve comprising a valve body with means therein defining first, second and third interconnecting chambers each provided with an exterior port, a valve assembly mounted in said body for reciprocative movement between two predetermined positions, said valve assembly comprising valve means for isolating said first chamber from said second and third chambers in one of said positions and isolating said second chamber from said first and third chamber in the other of said positions, and means including a member independent of said valve means but connected to said valve assembly for selectively controlling the rate of flow of fluid between said second and third ports when said valve assembly is in said one position.

5. A diverter valve as defined by claim 4 further including means for selectively controlling the rate of flow of fluid between said first and third ports when said valve, is in said other position.

6. A diverter valve as defined by claim 4 wherein said valve assembly is rotatable and the rate of flow of fluid is controlled by rotation of said member.

7. A diverter valve having volume control means, said diverter valve comprising a hollow valve body with means therein defining first, second and third chambers and two different valve seats interposed between said first chamber and said second and third chambers respectively; a valve assembly reciprocatively and rotatably mounted in said body, said valve assembly reciprocative between two positions and having a valve member alternately engageable with said two valve seats in said two positions, said volume control means comprising means defining a flow-through orifice in one of said second and third chambers and means connected to and rotatable with said valve assembly for variably blocking off said orifice as said valve assembly is rotated.

8. A diverter valve comprising a hollow body with means defining an inlet chamber and two outlet chambers communicating with said inlet chamber, a first valve seat located between said inlet chamber and one of said outlet chambers, a bonnet secured in an aperture in said body, said bonnet comprising a sleeve portion interposed between said inlet chamber and the other of said outlet chambers, said sleeve portion open at one end to said inlet chamber and having at least one hole in its wall for flow of fluid to said other outlet chamber, said sleeve portion providing a second valve seat at said one open end, a valve stem within said bonnet, means supporting said stem for rotational and axial movement relative to said bonnet, valve means on said valve stem for seating alternately on said first and second seats according to axial movement of said stem, and volume control means for controlling the rate of flow of fluid from said inlet chamber to said other outlet chamber via said sleeve portion, said volume control means comprising means connected to and moveable with said stern for variably blocking off said at least one hole in said sleeve as said stem is rotated.

9. A valve as defined by claim 8 wherein said lastmentioned means in an inverted cup-shaped element with at least one side outlet passage that moves into and out of registration with said at least one hole on rotation of said stem.

10. A valve as defined by claim 8 further including spring means urging said stern axially in a direction to achieve valve seating on said second seat so that said other outlet chamber is isolated from said inlet chamber and said one outlet chamber is open to said inlet chamber.

11. A valve as defined by claim 8 wherein said lastmentioned means is a cylindrical member that makes a close sliding fit with the inner surface of said sleeve portion, said cylindrical member having an inlet passage at one end exposed to said one open end of said sleeve and at least one side outlet passage that moves into and out of registration with said at least one hole with rotation of said stem.

12. A diverter valve comprising a hollow body having an inlet chamber and first and second outlet chambers, means in said body defining first and second openings connecting said inlet chamber with said first and second outlet chambers respectively, a bonnet removably secured in an aperture in said body, said bonnet comprising a hollow sleeve extending into said first opening, sealing means on said sleeve providing a fluid seal between the outer surface of said sleeve and the means defining said first opening, said sleeve having an open inner end exposed to said inlet chamber and a first hole in its wall exposed to said first outlet chamber, said sleeve providing a first valve seat at said open inner end, means defining a second valve seat surrounding said second opening, a valve stem within said bonnet, means supporting said stem for axial and rotational movement relative to said bonnet, valve means on the inner end of said stem for seating alternately on said first and second valve seats according to axial movement of said stem, and volume control means operative on rotation of said stem to variably block off said first hole and thereby vary the rate of flow of fluid from said inlet chamber to said first outlet chamber via said sleeve, said volume control means comprising a tubular member attached to said stem at a point intermediate the ends thereof, said tubular member disposed Within said sleeve and sized so as to make a close sliding fit with the internal surface of said sleeve, said tubular member having a first closed end and a second open end with said second open end exposed to the open inner end of said sleeve, said tubular member also having a second hole in its Wall movable into and out of registration with said first hole in said sleeve on movement of said stem.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,064,565 6/1913 Thurber 137-6364 2,767,019 10/1956 Manville l37610 X FOREIGN PATENTS 22,569 7/ 1948 Finland.

609,870 10/1960 Italy.

ISADOR WEIL, Primary Examiner.

I. ONEILL, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,236,253 February 22, 1966 Paul C. Symmons ed that error appears in the above numbered pat- It is hereby certifi e said letters Patent should read as ent requiring correction and that th corrected below.

Column 5, line 41, for "in" read is Signed and sealed this 31st day of January 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents 

4. A DIVERTER VALVE COMPRISING A VALVE BODY WITH MEANS THEREIN DEFINING FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD INTERCONNECTING CHAMBERS EACH PROVIDED WITH AN EXTERIOR PORT, A VALVE ASSEMBLY MOUNTED IN SAID BODY FOR RECIPROCATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN TWO PREDETERMINED POSITIONS, SAID VALVE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING VALVE MEANS FOR ISOLATING SAID FIRST CHAMBER FROM SAID SECOND AND THIRD CHAMBERS IN ONE OF SAID POSITIONS AND ISOLATING SAID SECOND CHAMBER FROM SAID FIRST AND THIRD CHAMBER IN THE OTHER OF SAID POSITIONS, AND MEANS INCLUDING A MEMBER INDEPENDENT OF SAID VALVE MEANS BUT CONNECTED TO SAID VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING THE RATE OF FLOW OF FLUID BETWEEN SAID SECOND AND THIRD PORTS WHEN SAID VALVE ASSEMBLY IS IN SAID ONE POSITION. 